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Question

Problem watching online media/video/movies

Feb 15, 2015 12:37AM PST

Hey cnet community,

I just bought a new Laptop (Lenovo S440), Windows 8.1 64bit, installed the Firefox web browser (35.0.1), downloaded the Adobe shockwave flash (16.0.0.305). Now I am trying to watch a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJlUVCe4VA) on HD 1080p and I am experiencing constant pausing and buffering (around every 30 seconds). My internet connection is above 20mbit/s, so that should not be a problem. I measured it with the Ookla online internet speed test. When watching the exact same video on my brother's computer on 1080p it works smoothly, he is connected to the same modem as I am. I do not understand why I am experiencing this issues, my Laptop has the Intel i7 processor and is new, he is using an older PC with the i3. I already tried to uninstall the Flash and Mozilla Firefox and reinstall it, but that did not help (But I could not completely remove it in the way they describe it here https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html, because I could not delete the files in C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash, it said I needed permission from the TrustedInstaller to delete the files). Why is that? I also compared watching a Twitch stream on the highest quality "Source" on my laptop as well as on his computer, same story, it works smoothly for him but it keeps pausing and buffering on mine every minute or so. I really do not understand why I have this issue, as my laptop should actually be much faster than his. Another big problem is that online movie streams do not work at all, basically every other movie or video streaming website does not work for me, it just keeps buffering and loading. For example https://archive.org/details/97154_hm_eastern_homes keeps buffering for 15-20 minutes before it sometimes eventually starts, on html5 as well as on flash (you can decide which one to use under the video). What am I doing wrong? I also tried the same thing with the Internet explorer but there the same story, the movie does not start and on YouTube it keeps pausing and buffering. Could it be an issue with graphic card drivers or settings or is it the adobe flash playert? It is really frustrating because watching online media is a big part of what I bought this new expensive laptop for.

Regards and thanks for any help,
Adrian

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Remember
Feb 15, 2015 12:44AM PST

That TrustedInstaller error is on the web in many prior discussions. So I'll not duplicate that answer today.

However once you expunge Flash I have some advice on how to install it again without the crapware that is so hard to avoid.

Go to ninite.com. For Flash it's not a standout but I used the checkbox Shockwave. May as well get Air too.

Here's why I go there: http://www.howtogeek.com/201354/ninite-is-the-only-safe-place-to-get-windows-freeware/

Now there are OTHER reasons for all this but the list gets rather long. My recurring run in with Hotspotshield has me calling that out. Maybe that's a good thing or maybe it's bad. All I know is that I have to eject that from time to time.
Bob

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Reply
Feb 15, 2015 1:08AM PST

so will this fix my issue or not? But why did it then always work on my old laptop, but now on this new one it doesn't and I have to get this ninite version?

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All good questions. Times have changed.
Feb 15, 2015 1:14AM PST

From crapware (you can read the article from howtogeek) to overreaching security suites that dog your every packet it's not like it was when you set up your old laptop.

The crapware installers are very hard to avoid. I guess you want more proof. Here it is:
http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/

I can't guess where or what you've done are if one of the usual are in play yet. But the Trustedinstaller message is very well done.

My advice is to start over, learn from your first round and read up on what changed over the past year. It's not good.
Bob

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Feb 15, 2015 2:03AM PST

Ok, thanks for the information, I will start reading the articles now. I basically have to google a bit on how to find the crapware on my laptop and how to remove it now right?

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Or you can try simple ways.
Feb 15, 2015 3:41AM PST

1. Make a new admin capable account, log into that and the dump the account that's not working. TIP! Always have spare admin accounts. Another well done topic?

2. After the new account use Grif's advice on how to scan. Use Grif's links or just us Ninite to get the tools.
Grif writes here all the time so here's a not so recent link:
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6122_102-5509131.html?tag=posts;msg5509131

3. It used to be you could use google to find apps and more. In 2014 it was getting bad. For 2015 I won't advise looking for such without a lot of protection, Web Of Trust (great app!) and a healthy dose of paranoia. If anyone tells you it's not that bad, they are probably running Linux.
Bob

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Feb 15, 2015 5:29AM PST

OK, thanks for the advice! So that way of doing it described by Grif is still good on windows 8?

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To check that out, click on Grif's name.
Feb 15, 2015 5:54AM PST

And see his recent posts. I'm going to chat with Grif to see if he'll consider a move to Ninite for getting those apps. Some folk won't get them from his provided links and will google it with horrible results.
Bob

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Thank you!
Feb 15, 2015 7:30AM PST

Thank you!

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Good point Bob.
Feb 15, 2015 7:36AM PST

I have used Ninite with good results. And if you save the installer you can upgrade easily.
Dafydd.

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I Understand the Need For Ninite...But Generally...
Feb 16, 2015 3:14AM PST

...I've not had any crapware accompany apps from the links I provide, especially the malware removal links provided in the instructions you linked to. Still, a little paranoia is a good thing when it comes to downloading apps. Recently, more companies are adding junk to their downloads and since most of my downloaded files are from earlier days, I'll be sure to research those download links.. Or... simply use Ninite as you suggest.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thank you Grif.
Feb 16, 2015 3:22AM PST

2014 was a tough year for downloads and 2015 is nothing but the dark side as I tested if I could find a good clean download of the usual with a google search.

Google is accepting pay for pushing the crapware infested titles that used to be fine. I'm sure you've seen this change in the past year.

I know you did point out exactly where to download but a few too many times the member runs off the path and suffers for it.

My thought is that for now I'm going to write more about Ninite until they turn to the dark side.
Bob

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(NT) Agreed.
Feb 16, 2015 3:40AM PST